The new prime minister’s comments on drone attacks came barely a week after the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s deputy leader Wali-ur Rehman was killed in an American air strike in north Waziristan and his militant group responded by withdrawing its offer to begin peace talks with the new government.

After defeating rival candidates from the Pakistan People’s Party and Imran Khan’s PTI, Mr Sharif spoke of the need to reviving the country’s economic and energy crises and pledged to tackle power cuts of upto 20 hours per day.

“We will be addressing the issue of energy crisis and will reveal a plan soon to improve the situation,” he said. He sought to dampen expectations, however, of a speedy solution.

He highlighted the country’s worsening law and order situation but did not mention the Taliban insurgency fueling it. He did however stress that the country needs peace in its tribal border areas, Balochistan and Karachi, its largest city.

Mr Sharif also mentioned his recent meeting with the Chinese premier and talked about greater collaboration between the two countries, especially with regards to the new port in Balochistan. “Gwadar will be made a free port,” he said, adding that a new road and rail network will be also built to connect China with Pakistan.

Political Analyst Raza Rumi said the new prime minister had highlighted his own supporters’ comcerns on corruption, energy, the economy, but also reassured Washington and other allies in the war on terrorism that he would listen to their concerns on curbing militancy.